An angry, feminine voice echoed down the portrait-lined hallway as the very nervous footman led us to the secondary workshop. Hieronymus and Marguerite were trying desperately to pretend like everything was fine, but when they heard the voice, their masks began to slip.

  “You will hand over my notes right now or I will be reporting you to the head of the Mayfairs,” the woman shouted. “I will not have you sabotaging my recognition.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about! I have done nothing with your notes nor would I have any interest in stealing your work. I don’t need your help gaining recognition. Perhaps you have simply misplaced them.”

  “I have done no such thing. I know exactly where I left them before I took my coffee break, and now they are gone. You have been lingering around my workstation for days now. I know you took them.”

  “And this is our secondary workshop.” Hieronymus strode into the room with an intense sense of grandeur, breaking the top off the tension, though not dissipating it entirely.

  The woman, Genevieve, shifted her glare towards the interruption, only to quickly back down when she realized who was addressing her. The man crossed his arms, not bothering to conceal his indignation. Hieronymus glared disapprovingly at both of them as Marguerite stepped into the room, beaming.

  “Oh how wonderful,” she gushed. “I was so hoping we would run into you. Lady Genevieve, Lord Elmer, this is our esteemed guest, Maguire, and his attendant, Claudia.”

  “I beg your pardon, I must have misspoken,” Maguire interrupted. “Claudia is my mentor and my friend within the Society of Jacks. If anything, I should be considered her attendant.”

  “I am sure they meant no offense, Maguire. It is not uncommon for most people to be unaware of the internal functions of the Society of Jacks,” I said placatingly. Everyone in the room stiffened slightly at this.

  Much as the Mayfair Alchemist Society valued their own secrecy and traditions, they didn’t seem thrilled at not knowing everything about the other societies. They also didn’t like being called out for their own doubletalk, especially not with a backhanded statement. We were still well within the lines of what was considered acceptable, but I couldn’t resist the urge to remind them that the Jacks also have teeth.

  “Perhaps now that we have members of seniority here, this matter can be settled,” Elmer grumbled. “It seems that there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding and the Lady Genevieve seems to be having a hard time hearing me.”

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  “What seems to be the problem?” Marguerite asked, looking at Genevieve.

  “I stepped out of the workshop briefly to refresh myself, and when I came back, my notes were nowhere to be found. I simply asked Lord Elmer if he knew where my notes went, since he has been making use of this workshop and showing great interest in my project,” she replied.

  “I merely showed the same interest I would do for any of my colleagues. The society thrives on collaboration, does it not? Or am I to be punished for offering my assistance?” Elmer protested.

  “Perhaps you merely misplaced your notes?” Marguerite suggested. “Or one of your collaborators went to take a look and didn’t put them back?”

  “If anyone else chose to look at them, they did so without my knowledge or permission, and they hid them away somewhere. Either way, my work is missing and I would very much like to have them back. I will not have my recognition as an alchemist placed in jeopardy over some silly rivalry, nor will I allow my work to be stolen to bolster someone else’s standing.” She glared pointedly at Elmer as she said the last part, making it abundantly clear that she believed him to be a lesser practitioner and possibly a cheat.

  “Well, now that there are more people who are aware of the situation, we can pair up and begin to search for these missing notes,” I offered, glancing between the two feuding alchemists. “Perhaps then we will find that this problem is not quite so large as it appears, or at the very least, we can find its roots and deal with it there.”

  “It would provide a rather unique insight for me into the functioning of the Mayfair Alchemist Society, as well as a chance for the society to see how I approach problem solving,” Maguire added.

  “That sounds like the most excellent idea. Lord Elmer, why don’t you and Lord Hieronymus give Mister Maguire a tour of the premises and show him where he will be working in this time of recognition. Lady Genevieve can join Miss Claudia and myself in an investigation into the misplaced notes,” Marguerite suggested. Hieronymus gave her a curious look, but didn’t protest.

  “If our guests find this acceptable. It will also give me a chance to better explain the terms of the recognition and what must be done to achieve and maintain it.”

  “I know of the importance of the recognition given by the Mayfair Alchemist Society, and I can think of no greater honor than being gifted such a boon. It would be my pleasure to learn from two who are so well recognized in the upper echelon of alchemical society,” Maguire said, inclining his head towards the ladies as well.

  “And I must admit, I am rather curious to know more about the workings of this organization. I promise I will not pry too far, though. I respect that every society must have its secrets and I have no intention of overstepping in this situation. I wish only to offer my assistance and to prove myself a friend to the Mayfairs,” I added.

  I saw a brief flash of something resembling relief crossing Marguerite’s face, but I couldn’t be sure if it was due to my suggestion or the fact that everyone else agreed. Either way, I found myself wondering how I could get a glimpse of her handwriting.

  Perhaps I would recognize it from one of the strange requests. Perhaps not.

  Regardless, I wanted to find some way to have a private conversation with her.